Natural beauty product packaging

ABSTRACT

A packaging system for a natural beauty product in powdered form includes an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form, an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container, an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use, and an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beauty products, especially packaging for natural beauty products including, but not limited to, natural hair dye.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Some of the problems in the art will be discussed relative to hair dye, although it is to be understood that different aspects of the present invention are not necessarily limited to hair dye. Hair dyes may contain any number of non-natural ingredients such as oxidizing liquids, developers, emulsifiers, stabilizers and surfactants. Moreover, hair dyes are often pre-mixed for convenience. However, there are growing concerns regarding the potentially adverse health effects of certain beauty products, including hair dye products, which contain non-natural or non-organic ingredients. In addition to potential long-term adverse effects, some individuals may exhibit immediate adverse reactions to hair dyes or other beauty products containing chemicals and thus natural beauty products, including natural hair dyes are highly desirable.

Yet there are a number of problems which might prevent the offering of all natural or organic beauty products such as natural hair dyes. For example, if hair dyes are sold as pre-mixes, in the common manner, it may be difficult to provide a suitable composition without chemical ingredients. If natural hair dyes are not sold as pre-mixes there are numerous problems which are encountered, including the ability to preserve the natural hair dyes safely without use of chemicals and to provide the natural hair dyes to individuals in a manner which allows the individual to mix the natural hair dye with water or other liquid in a sufficiently convenient manner, especially in a manner which assists in preventing spillage, leaking, or other types of messes which would require clean-up.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage to improve over the state of the art.

It is a further object, feature, or advantage to provide packaging for natural beauty products including natural hair dyes without requiring chemical additives.

A still further object, feature, or advantage is to provide packaging for natural beauty products such as natural hair dyes which allow consumers to mix these products with a liquid such as water to provide a liquid spray or liquid paste.

Another object, feature, or advantage is to provide packaging for natural beauty products which allows a user to mix with a liquid in a convenient and efficient manner which is not messy and not conducive to spillage or leakage.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage is to provide.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need achieve each and every object, feature, or advantage as different embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages.

According to one aspect, a packaging system for a natural beauty product in powdered form includes an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form, an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container, an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use, and an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel. The natural beauty product may be a natural hair dye. The outer container may include both a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion to provide access to the inner vessel to thereby allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion and the second portion. The first portion and the second portion of the outer container may be fully separable and replaceable or re-joinable. The second portion may be a door or flap movable between a first position wherein the outer container is closed and a second position wherein the outer container is open to provide the access to the inner vessel. The end fitting may be a removable cap or may include a dispensing attachment for facilitating dispensement such as a spray pump for spraying a mixture of the natural beauty product, a push pump for dispensing a mixture containing the natural beauty product, a pen tip, a brush head, or other type of applicator. The outer container may be a bottle or a tube. The inner vessel may be formed from an elastomeric material. The system may further include a securing means for securing the inner vessel so as to prevent leakage. The securing means may include a clip, a slot in the outer container, and/or a band. The top end of the outer container may include a plurality of outer threads for threadably connecting the end fitting.

According to another aspect, a method of preparing a natural beauty product is provided. The method may include removing an end fitting from an outlet of a packaging system having an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form, an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container, and the outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel. The method may further include filling the inner vessel with a volume of liquid through the outlet. The method may further include opening the outer container to provide access to the inner vessel by at least partially separating a first portion of the outer container with a second portion of the outer container. The method may further include manipulating the inner vessel to assist in mixing the natural beauty product in powdered form with the liquid. The method may further include closing the outer container by rejoining the first portion of the outer container with the second portion of the outer container and replacing the end fitting.

According to another aspect, a natural beauty product may include a first packaging system for a natural beauty product powder, the first packaging system including an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form, an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container, and an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use, an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel. The outer container may include a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion to provide access to the inner vessel to thereby allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion and the second portion. The natural beauty product may further include a second packaging system for a natural beauty product powder, the second packaging system also including an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form, an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container, an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use, and an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel, the end fitting comprising a dispensing attachment. The outer container may include a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion to provide access to the inner vessel to thereby allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion and the second portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a packaging system for a natural beauty product.

FIG. 1B illustrates another example of a packaging system.

FIG. 2 illustrates the natural beauty product when packaged in a tube.

FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a securing means.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a securing means.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further example of a securing means.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of an end fitting.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a packaging system for the natural beauty product where access to an inner vessel is provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present invention contemplates any number of beauty products, embodiments describing a natural hair dye which is packaged in a powdered form is provided. The powdered form allows for natural and/or organic beauty products to be prepared without harmful chemical ingredients.

Generally, commercially available hair dyes are not fully natural and include various chemical additives for various purposes. Chemical additives are included for any number of reasons including to reduce costs to the manufacturer, to increase shelf life, or otherwise. However, consumers have come to realize that such chemical additives may have potentially adverse effects on one’s hair or health. Of particular concern is the potential cumulative effects.

However, there are various problems with offering natural beauty products, including natural hair dyes. There may be problems in formulating effective products. In addition, there are problems with maintaining freshness of the products, as well as problems with packaging and delivery.

FIG. 1A illustrates one example of a natural beauty product. As shown in FIGS. 1 , there is a natural beauty product 10 with a packaging system which includes an inner vessel 14 formed of a pliable material and which contains the natural beauty product in a powdered form 15. Note that the inner vessel 14 contains the powdered hair dye or other beauty product but the inner vessel 14 is not full of the powdered hair dye or other beauty product. There is a significant amount of excess space sufficient to hold both the powdered hair dye and an appropriate volume of water or other liquid in a desired mix ratio. In some embodiments, such as where the powdered hair dye is used to make a paste there is less excess space required as a smaller volume of liquid will be mixed. In other embodiments, such as where the powdered hair dye is applied through spraying there may be more excess space as a larger volume of liquid will be mixed. The amount of powdered hair dye present is related to the desired mix ratio.

The packaging system further include an outer container 12 with the inner vessel 14 positioned within the outer container 12. There is an outlet 22 on a top end of the outer container 12 which provides access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel 14. The inner vessel 14 also has an outlet 25 on its top end and the outlet 22 of the outer container and the outlet 25 of the inner vessel 14 are aligned. An end fitting 28 is shown which may be removable. In some embodiments, the end fitting 28 may be a removable cap threadably connected to outer threads 20 on the top end of the outer container 12. The end fitting 28, may in some embodiments include a dispensing head or attachment or applicator such as a spray pump 24, push pump 26, brush, pen tip, sharp head, or other dispensing attachment which may be used to apply the beauty product. It is contemplated, that different dispensing attachments may be provided to meet requirements for application of different beauty products or to address user preferences. As shown in FIG. 1A, the outer container 12 is transparent, but this need not be the case as the outer container 12 may be opaque or translucent as well. In FIG. 1A, the spray pump has a tube 30 extending therefrom into the inner vessel 14.

A portion of the inner vessel 14 may extend over the outer container 12. The inner vessel 14 may be made of an elastomeric material so that adding a liquid to the inner vessel 14 will expand the outer container 12. The size and shape of the inner vessel 14 and the outer container 12 may vary. The inner vessel 14 may be sized relative to the outer container 12 such that when the powder is mixed with liquid and the inner vessel 14 is full, it extends to the bottom of the outer container 12.

The outer container 12 may have a first portion 40 and a second portion 42 and wherein the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 may separate sufficiently to provide access to the inner vessel. For example, the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 may be removably connected or hingeably connected to each other in order to provide access to the inner vessel 14 to thereby allow for at least partial separation of the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 to allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel 14 for mixing the natural beauty product and then replacement of the first portion 40 and the second portion 42. In some embodiments, the first portion 40 may be hingeably connected to the second portion 42 such that the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 are not completely disconnected from each other. Any type of hinge may be used including a living hinge. In other embodiments, a hinge need not be present and the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 may be fully separatable and reconnectable or replaceable such as through an interference fit, press-fit, snap-fit, threadably connected, or otherwise connected. The first portion 40 and the second portion 42 may be connected together with one or more bands. In some embodiments, the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 may be connected together in more than one way. For example, a band may be used to connect these portions while also the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 may be fit together such that even if separated, the first portion 40 and the second portion 42 are still connected. .In some embodiments, a portion of the outer container hingably opens as a door to provide access to the inner vessel.

FIG. 1B illustrates the natural beauty product with a packaging system appropriate for when the mixture is of a thicker consistency. As shown in FIG. 1B, the outer container 12 may be squeezable and an end fitting 28 may have a more elongated nozzle 29 with a lid or cap 31. The natural beauty product in the form of a powder 15 (prior to mixture) is shown at the bottom of the inner vessel. The outer container 12 has a first portion 40 and a second portion 42 which may be at least partially separated to provide manual access to the inner vessel 14 such that a person may manually manipulate the inner vessel 14 to mix the powder 15 with water or other liquid to a desired consistency.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the natural beauty product 10. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is better suited for when the mixture for the beauty product is to have a thicker consistency such as in paste form. In this embodiment, the end fitting 28 has an attached lid 52. In addition, the outer container 12 may be a tube such as made from plastic or aluminum which has both a first portion 40 and a second portion 42 which may be separated to provide access to the inner vessel 14. In some embodiments, the bottom end of the outer container 12 may be sized and shaped to allow the natural beauty product 10 to be free-standing on its bottom end.

FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 , and FIG. 5 illustrate different examples of securing means. A securing means may be used to prevent leakage of the powder from the inner vessel. The securing means can take on any number of different forms. In FIG. 3 , the securing means 70 is in the form of a clip that may be clipped around the inner vessel 14. In FIG. 4 , the securing means 72 is integrated into the outer container 12 by providing a slot in the outer container. Thus, the inner vessel 14 may be held in place when it is inserted through the slot serving as the securing means 72 to retain powder within the inner vessel 14 in place. In FIG. 5 , the securing means is in the form of a band 74 which may be wrapped or tied around the inner vessel 14. The user may pull the band 74 through the slot 73 such that the paste/mixture is pushed towards the upper portion of the upper inner vessel 14. In addition, a slot 73 may be present in the outer container and the band may be secured to the outer container 12. It is to be understood that the securing means may be of any number of size, shapes, forms, and structures including clips, slots or other structures integrated into the outer container, bands, strings, ties, or other type of fasteners.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further view showing one example of connecting the inner vessel 14 to the outer container 12. Here, the end of the inner vessel 14 may be pulled up and over the outer edges of the outer container 12. Thus, the openings for the inner vessel 14 and the outer container 12 are in alignment such that a liquid such as water may added through the opening to enter the inner vessel 14 to fill the inner vessel 14. The inner vessel 14 may be secured to the outer container 12 in any number of ways. For example, one or more outer rings 13 which may also serve as threads may fit over the portion of the inner vessel 14 which is pulled over the outer container 12. This secures the inner vessel 14 to the outer container 12. In addition, in order to protect the inner portion of the inner vessel 14, an insert 17 may be positioned at the outlet. The insert 17 may have a shape that corresponds with the opening of the outer container. Thus, for example the insert 17 may be in the form of a ring or cylinder wherein the outer container has a circular opening. The insert 17 may be secured in any number of ways including by press fit, snap fit, interference fit or otherwise. In some embodiments the insert 17 and one or more outer rings 13 may be operatively connected together to form a single piece which sandwiches the inner vessel 14 to hold it in place relative to the outer container 12. The single piece may, for example, fit over the edges of the inner vessel 14 pulled over the edges of the outer container 12, with one side of the single piece extending into the inner vessel 14 and the outer container 12 and the other side of the single piece extending down an outside of the outer container 12. An end fitting may be connected to or otherwise contained on a connector with threads which may be positioned over the one or more rings 13. Thus, the openings for the inner vessel 14 and the outer container 12 are in alignment such that any liquid such as water added through the opening enters the inner vessel 14 to fill the inner vessel. Moreover, the inner vessel 14 and the outer container 12 are secured together such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel 14. The inset and outer ring(s) may be of any number of shapes and sizes depending in part on the size and shape of the outer container 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment where the outer container 12 has a first portion 40 and a second portion 42. The second portion 42 may be in the form of a door or flap which may be moved between a first position wherein the outer container 12 is closed and a second position wherein the outer container 12 is open to provide the access to the inner vessel 14. Thus, the first portion 42 and the second portion 42 are partially separable and re-joinable. When the inner vessel 14 is accessible it allows for manual kneading or manual manipulation of the inner vessel 14 to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion 40 and the second portion 42.

It is also to be understood that different end fittings 28 may be present depending upon the desired consistency of the mixture formed from the powdered natural beauty product and water or other liquid. In some embodiments, two or more different packaging systems may be sold together each with different types of end fittings along with instructions for differing amounts of liquid to be added or else with differing amounts of powder in each type of packaging. A funnel may also be provided with the product to allow for a user to add water or other liquid using the funnel.

In operation, the packaging system shown and described is used to allow a consumer, stylist, or other user to add water or other liquid into the inner vessel 14 to fill the inner vessel 14. In some embodiments, the inner vessel may be formed from an elastomeric material and will expand as it is being filled. Sufficient empty volume is present in the inner vessel to allow for a suitable amount of water to be added in order to obtain a desired consistency. The water may be added such as by removing the end fitting, inserting a funnel into the container and then filling the funnel with water or other liquid. If a securing means is present at the inner vessel, the user will need to remove the securing means prior to adding liquid. It is to be understood that in some instances, the consumer may want a mixture suitable for spraying. In other instances, the consumer may want a mixture of a heavier consistency suitable for applying as a paste. The same powder may serve both purposes but will require a different mix ratio depending upon the manner in which it is to be applied and the packaging system may be optimized depending upon the desired consistency. For example, the outer container may be a bottle and the dispensing attachment may be a spray pump where a small amount of powder is used with a much larger amount of water such as in a ratio of 20:1 or higher. If a lower mix ratio is used, then it may be appropriate to use a push pump or other type of dispensing apparatus. If a still lower mix ratio is used such that the mixture has a consistency of a paste or cream, then the outer container may be a pliable tube so that the consumer may dispense the mixture by squeezing the packaging system. Thus, the type of outer container may be based on the mix ratio and consistency of the product after mixing.

In some embodiments, to facilitate the mixing process, the first portion and the second portion of the outer container may be at least partially separated to provide access to the outside surface of the inner vessel. If present, the user may secure the inner vessel with a securing means prior to mixing to help prevent spillage and to constrain the mixture to the portion of the inner vessel most accessible by the user. The user may then knead or otherwise manipulate the inner vessel to facilitate thorough mixing of the powder with liquid. After sufficient mixing, the user may remove the securing means if present and then re-connect or rejoin the first portion of the outer container with the second portion of the outer container.

Therefore, various embodiments for natural beauty products, packaging for natural beauty products, and application for natural beauty products have been shown and described. The present invention contemplates numerous options, variations, and alternatives.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). In addition, the term “and/or” is intended to mean that a condition A and/or B is satisfied if A is true (or present) and B is not true (or not present), A is not true (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the disclosure. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Similarly, if a method is described herein as comprising a series of steps, the order of such steps as presented herein is not necessarily the only order in which such steps may be performed, and certain of the stated steps may possibly be omitted and/or certain other steps not described herein may possibly be added to the method.

As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

Reference throughout this specification to “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example.

The invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments described herein. In particular, the invention contemplates numerous variations in the specific methodology used and structures provided as described herein. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the invention to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects are considered included in the invention. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes, or methods of the invention. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A packaging system for a natural beauty product in powdered form, the packaging system comprising: an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form; an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container; an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use; an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel.
 2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the natural beauty product is a natural hair dye.
 3. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the outer container comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion to provide access to the inner vessel to thereby allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion and the second portion.
 4. The packaging system of claim 3 wherein the first portion and the second portion are fully separable and replaceable.
 5. The packaging system of claim 3 wherein the second portion is a flap movable between a first position wherein the outer container is closed and a second position wherein the outer container is open to provide the access to the inner vessel.
 6. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the end fitting includes a dispensing attachment for facilitating dispensement.
 7. The packaging system of claim 6 wherein the dispensing attachment comprises a spray pump for spraying a mixture of the natural beauty product.
 8. The packaging system of claim 6 wherein the dispensing attachment comprises a push pump for dispensing a mixture containing the natural beauty product.
 9. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the outer container is a bottle.
 10. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the outer container is a tube.
 11. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the inner vessel comprises an elastomeric material.
 12. The packaging system of claim 1 further comprising a securing means for securing the inner vessel so as to prevent leakage.
 13. The packaging system of claim 12 wherein the securing means comprises a clip.
 14. The packaging system of claim 12 wherein the securing means comprises a slot in the outer container.
 15. The packaging system of claim 12 wherein the securing means comprises a band.
 16. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein the top end of the outer container comprises a plurality of outer threads for threadably connecting the end fitting.
 17. A method of preparing a natural beauty product, the method comprising: removing an end fitting from an outlet of a packaging system having an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form, an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container, and the outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel; filling the inner vessel with a volume of liquid through the outlet; opening the outer container to provide access to the inner vessel by at least partially separating a first portion of the outer container with a second portion of the outer container; manipulating the inner vessel to assist in mixing the natural beauty product in powdered form with the liquid; closing the outer container by rejoining the first portion of the outer container with the second portion of the outer container.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising replacing the end fitting.
 19. A natural beauty product comprising: a first packaging system for a natural beauty product powder, the first packaging system comprising: an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form; an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container; an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use; an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel; wherein the outer container comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion to provide access to the inner vessel to thereby allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion and the second portion.
 20. The natural beauty product further comprising: a second packaging system for a natural beauty product powder, the second packaging system comprising: an inner vessel formed of a pliable material and containing the natural beauty product in powdered form; an outer container wherein the inner vessel is positioned within the outer container; an outlet at a top end of the outer container and the inner vessel thereby providing access to the natural beauty product disposed within the inner vessel such that liquid may be added to the inner vessel to mix with the natural beauty product in powdered form prior to use; an end fitting positioned over the outlet for sealing the inner vessel, the end fitting comprising a dispensing attachment; wherein the outer container comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is at least partially separable from the second portion to provide access to the inner vessel to thereby allow for manual kneading of the inner vessel to mix the natural beauty product and then allow for rejoinder of the first portion and the second portion. 